Mancos Conservation District

Our Mission:

Commitment To Accessibility :

To promote long-term sustainable use and protection of the Mancos River Watershed. We provide educational, financial, and technical assistance to meet these conservation goals.

The Mancos Conservation District is committed to providing accessible access to our tools and resources. We have worked to make our website as accessible as possible, however, we recognize this is a work in progress. Please review our accessibility policy and reach out if we can provide resources in an easier way for you.

A map titled "Nail Down the Top Soil". The picture depicts the different landscapes in sections of Colorado.

History of Conservation Districts

Conservation Districts trace their roots back to the 1930s, when national attention was directed to the soil erosion crisis of the Dust Bowl. Since then, soil conservation districts have evolved into a unique unit of local government that utilizes state, federal, and private sector resources to solve today’s natural resource problems. Including: soil conservation, water quality and conservation, wildlife habitat, and forest management.

Conservation Districts Today: How They Help

The Mancos Conservation District (MCD) provides rural landowners with information, technical and engineering support, and access to government cost-share programs that deal with improvement of water distribution, on-farm irrigation systems, noxious weed control, rehabilitation of disturbed areas, and other conservation related activities.

The Mancos Conservation District logo

Meet Our Board of Supervisors

Danny Margoles, Executive Director

Danny is excited to be stepping into the Executive Director position with the Mancos Conservation District. In this role, Danny will manage and coordinate the District programs and will oversee day-to-day operations, including staff, projects, and program development. He will be the primary media contact and looks forward to maintaining and building on the District’s many strong partnerships. Danny is excited to work with the excellent District staff and appreciates the strong support from the Managing Director. Prior to working with the District, Danny coordinated the Dolores Watershed Resilient Forest Collaborative and has lived with his family in Mancos for the past six years.

Sensa Wolcott, Watershed Coordinator

Sensa joined the MCD team in 2021 and holds a Master’s in Biology from Miami University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Biology, and an Associate’s Degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Fort Lewis College. Sensa previously taught high school science and is passionate about community-based conservation and connecting people with the land. Sensa and her family live on their family-owned and operated cattle ranch. She spends her time outside hiking, camping, mountain biking, and taking photos. She looks forward to using her background to support MCD and inspire conservation through dialogue and collaboration that leads to innovative solutions to today’s conservation issues.

Casey Flynn - District Conservation Technician

Casey Flynn joined MCD/NRCS as a District Conservation Technician with a forestry emphasis in 2024. Casey grew up in Northern Virginia but has lived in Durango for the past six years. She played college soccer at Fort Lewis College where she received a degree in Biology. For the last few years, she has worked as a Certified Snowboard Instructor at Purgatory Resort, and the Operations crew to maintain trails during the winter season. In her free time, she loves to be outside. She enjoys camping, hiking, paddleboarding, and snowboarding. 


Aaron Kinsley - Watershed Technician

Aaron is an AmeriCorps member serving at the MCD through the Rural Alliance for Dignity program. He spent the last 4 years in the Pacific Northwest, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from The Evergreen State College. Aaron is excited to learn about local ecology in Montezuma County while contributing to conservation. Aaron enjoys going for walks, runs, hikes, and bike rides in his free time.

Alex Fleitz - Forestry Technician

Alex is a Mancos local who went on to receive degrees in Environmental Sustainability and Psychology at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado. Alex is now an AmeriCorps member serving at the MCD through the Rural Alliance for Dignity program. For the past few years, Alex has been an instructor at Deer Hill Expeditions, a substitute teacher at the Mancos School District, as well as a sawyer for Underwood Forestry. He is excited to build on his educational and conservation experience through his work at MCD. In his free time, he enjoys various outdoor activities including backpacking, rafting, rock climbing, trail running, skiing, and biking.


Neva Connolly, District Manager

Neva joined the MCD team in 2021 and in her current role with the District, Neva will bring 16 years of experience with riparian protection and resource conservation planning, stream restoration project management, inventory and monitoring database organization, and federal review coordination for transmission lines and mining projects. Her previous projects involved extensive review in coordination with the Endangered Species Act Section 10 Multi-Species Conservation Planning and NEPA requirements.

Tara Harris, Forestry Program Coordinator

Tara Harris joined MCD in June 2023 as the Forestry Program Coordinator. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Natural Resources Management. After college, Tara began working for the U.S. Forest Service, where she deepened her knowledge of forest ecology and resilience. After 5+ years of working for Public Lands agencies - including the San Juan National Forest - and 2 years in private environmental consulting, Tara is excited to collaborate with her community on local conservation projects. Outside of work, Tara spends her time outdoors - hiking, backpacking, and riding horses.

Erica Holm, Office Manager

Erica became part of MCD in 2023. A fifth-generation resident of Montezuma County, she grew up in Mancos and is passionate about the outdoors. Erica got an English degree from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where she also competed on the track team. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and dogs, rafting down a river, or at her family’s cabin in the aspens. She is excited to apply her skills to the conservation world, with a particular interest in sustainable irrigation practices and their role in preserving natural resources.

Rowan Henke, Forestry Technician

Rowan joined the crew in July 2024 and originally hails from the Midwest. She attended University of Vermont, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. After graduating, she landed in the San Juans in 2021. She spent the last couple of years working for San Juan National Forest and in the local service industry. Rowan is deeply passionate about forest ecology and health, and her previous positions have given her knowledge and experience that she is excited to build on through her work at MCD. She also looks forward to collaborating and engaging with the Montezuma County community. When she’s not working, Rowan loves to spend her time running, biking, and snowboarding.

Meet Our Staff